City of East Palo Alto
The following is a brief overview of the tenant protections available in this city. For more details please refer to the ordinance itself and any other resourced linked below.
Overview
What tenant protections does the city have?
Rent Control
Just Cause for Evictions
Who enforces the tenant protections?
Rent Board
Abisai Moreno Rent Stabilization Program Coordinator
(650) 853-3114
[email protected]
When were these protections adopted and most recently updated?
Adopted: 1988
Updated: 2016
Rent Stabilization
Exemptions
SFH and condos per Costa Hawkins Act. Anything built after 1/01/1988. Short-term rentals, owner-occupied 2- and 3-unit properties, nonprofit-owned housing with rent covenants (including LIHTC), per local law. Subsidized units have to be re-regulated if building exits their regulatory program.
How much can rent be increased and how often?
80% of CPI, but no more than 10%.
Only one rent increase in a 12-month period.
Is banking allowed?
Yes, up to 3 times per tenancy
Are passthroughs or additional costs allowed (pets, utilities, parking, etc)?
Landlord can petition the rent board for an upward adjustment for fair return based on maintenance of net operating income standard.
Eviction Protections
Exemptions
Standard list of exceptions (dorms, hospitals, etc)
Under what circumstances is the landlord obligated to pay relocation assistance to tenant?
Removal from rental market, demolition